Hillsborough verdicts quashed: new investigation launched

A former chief constable is to lead a new criminal inquiry into the
Hillsborough disaster as police officers, the Football Association and a
council all face potential prosecution over the 96 deaths.

By Wesley Johnson, Home Affairs Correspondent

2:25PM GMT 19 Dec 2012

Theresa May, the Home Secretary, said the move, which came as the High Court quashed the original accidental death inquest verdicts, would ensure nobody responsible for the tragedy 23 years ago escapes scrutiny in the families’ search for justice.

Jon Stoddart, the former chief constable of Durham Police, will focus on organisations outside the remit of the police watchdog, including Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield City Council, the Football Association and engineers at the ground where 96 Liverpool fans died at the FA Cup semi-final in 1989.

The independent panel’s report into the disaster found the FA authorised the Hillsborough ground to stage the match despite the fact it failed to meet minimum safety standards.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission will continue to manage the element of the investigation considering “the actions of police officers in relation to the deaths”.

Liverpool fans climb the terraces in a desperate bid to escape severe crushing at the Leeping Lane end at Hillsborough, during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in April 1989 (PA)

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Barry Devonside, 65, whose 18-year-old son Christopher died at Hillsborough, said: “I am not on a witch-hunt and I don't want people locked up for the sake of it, but if there is evidence they should be before a court.”

Mr Stoddart will be able to recruit his own investigators but he will not be allowed to employ officers or former officers with any prior connection to the Hillsborough disaster, nor those who have worked in West Midlands, South Yorkshire or Merseyside forces.

He said: “My role is to ensure that we determine exactly what happened in the lead up to and on the day of the disaster and establish where any culpability lies.”

Deborah Glass, deputy chairwoman of the IPCC, warned the investigation was “not going to be a quick and easy process”.

Sheffield City Council added it will “continue to give our cooperation willingly when required to do so”.